ELECTING LONDON S LORD MAYOR

One of the most important functions of the City’s eighty- four Livery Companies is the election of London’s Lord Mayor at the Guildhall at 12 noon on Michaelmas Day (September 29th). The public are admitted to the ceremony. It provides one of the many impressive and colourful specfades for which London is famed. The reigning Lord Mayor and ‘ Sheriffs, carrying posies, walk in procession to the Guildhall and take their places on the dais, which is strewn with sweet­smelling herbs. The Recorder announces that the represent­atives of the Livery Companies have been called together to select two Aldermen for the office of Lord Mayor of London. From the selected two, the Court of Aldermen will choose one. The Mayor, Aldermen and other senior officials then withdraw, and the Livery select their two nominations. Usually the choice is unanimous, and the Liverymen all hold up their hands and shout “All!”. The Sergeant-at-Arms takes the mace from the table and, accompanied by the Sheriffs, takes the two names to the Court of Aldermen, who then proceed to select the Mayor Elect. The bells of the City ring out as the Mayor and the Mayor Elect leave the Guildhall in the state coach for the Mansion House.